kunle Ade;labu
The Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Emugoriade 1, has charged indigenes of ancient Igbogbo community in Ikorodu division of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, to renew their commitments to the community.
The revered royal father expressed his dissatisfaction over the involvement of Igbogbo indigenes in the affairs of the community, and charged sons and daughters of Igbogbo, in various positions of authority to use such for the development of the community.
Adeboruwa made the clarion call at the Rotary Centre in Igbogbo, during the event to honour Prof. Olufunsho Abayomi Omobitan, on his election as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, last Sunday.
“I want all Igbogbo indigenes to look for ways of renewing their commitments to Igbogbo, because all that we are talking about boils down to our commitments”, Adeboruwa charged.
“Majority of us are just Igbogbo indigenes, but are not really committed to it. Some are in various offices where there are opportunities, but they failed to bring such opportunities home.
“I will continue to insist that we must renew our contract and commitment to this town, because we are only deceiving ourselves if we fail to do that. But I can assure you that this town will move forward, whether we agree to be committed to it or not”, Oba Kasali said.
Adeboruwa, while emphasizing the need for sons and daughters of the ancient community to be committed to its development, called on prominent clubs and youths in Igbogbo, to respond with actions to his charge.
Oba Kasali assured that with the involvement of everyone, Igbogbo will experience more developments.
“I request everyone here today to tell others that are not here, that I am demanding renewal of commitment to Igbogbo from everyone. Otherwise, others will do it if we are not ready”, the royal father said.
“First Club, you are yet to do anything, and it is as if the Elite Brothers are yet to start at all. Also, our so-called youths seem not to be ready by pushing everything to the leaders, because I have not seen you do anything.
“Agreed that the burden is on the leaders, but you must be up and doing too”, Adeboruwa said.
Oba Kasali, who is the General Secretary, Ijebu Obas in Lagos State, also expressed disappointment that no group is concerned about planning for the future of Igbogbo development.
“Nobody is planning for what the face of the Igbogbo community will look like in the next 15 to 20 years. The youths are not discussing that, so also are the First Club and Elite Brothers. We are only waiting for the leaders in the political circle to come and discuss it with us. We only want leaders in the political circle to bring forth a programme for us to hijack”, the royal father expressed his disappointment.
“We are yet to see anything because much more developments are still coming, but we have a lot of work to do.
“We cannot wait and be expecting people to come and spoon feed us. We are talking about an appointment and we are asking for it as if they will just give it to us. I have charged our youths to venture out for exposure. It is only local politics that we are playing. Those that you are looking up to today didn’t stay in their comfort zones to get to where they are, rather, they ventured out to make connections and developed themselves”.
He said that many did not show any interest in the passport office that was facilitated years back, and which is beneficial to the community, until recently.
“We are talking about the Passport office and many of us are not even seeing its importance. I thank the family that donated the land for the purpose”, the royal father said.
The person that facilitated the project is not an indigene of Igbogbo but from Ikorodu. But I later heard that one of our big political shots was also involved, which is good.
“I don’t see any commitment from the First Club towards it. It was when it was all done that I called on the Elite Brothers. Some are just knowing the location of the passport office.
“I have nothing to think about, but that of the development of Igbogbo. That is the way I was brought up and that is what I have committed myself to do. More so, that I am today the king of this town.
“I am appealing to you all, to renew our commitment to this town. My own commitment is unshaken, and our ancestors are with me”, Kabiyesi charged.
